Restaurants that offer Grandma's Cake

Portobello Garden

➤ 269B Portobello Road, London, W111LR, W11 1LL, United Kingdom

Cafés • Pasta • Pizza • Italian

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"Out and about on a lunchtime constitutional along Portobello Road last week something interesting caught my eye. Set back from the road, hiding behind vintage clothes in the arcade, was an alluringly attractive Italian restaurant. On my own, without reading material and in a hurry to get back to work, I had no intention of sitting down to eat but I was compelled to go in and investigate. I glanced at the menu and clientele, was charmed by the decor of hanging dried meat and flowers, and decided I would return imminently.<br/ <br/ Thankfully an opportunity arose this week. I had taken it upon myself to arrange a lunch for myself and nine colleagues, and presented them with an option of four restaurants (secretly hoping that democracy would work in my favour). At first, take-up was slow as the more adventurous-sounding alternatives were far more popular, but risk aversion gradually set in and the simple Italian became the winner; a culinary hare and tortoise situation, if you will.<br/ <br/ “What if they don’t cater for big groups? What if it’s awful and I’m forever ridiculed for my restaurant choice?” Such questions were running through my mind, distracting me from my morning tasks.<br/ <br/ An amiable Italian gentleman saw the first sub-group and exclaimed “group of ten, this way please!” so we followed orders and went inside to our long table, immediately looking above us at the conservatory style ceiling and feeling as though we had walked into a Tuscan summer.<br/ <br/ Our charismatic waitress brought over an alternative to a complementary bread basket; a plate of amuse-bouche sized pieces of courgette frittata served on a forest of rocket. I was very impressed by this. They have foreseen that I’m going to be ravenous, having not eaten since my 11:00 AM apple; that I may not wish to bloat up on bread; that I enjoy being surprised, which I most certainly was. I had only been there ten short minutes and these people already knew how to please me more than some people who have known me for decades. If that isn’t customer service, I really don’t know what is. <br/ <br/ The menu is slightly unusual in that there isn’t the usual long list of pizzas and pastas to choose from, instead there were a couple of al forno dishes (baked in the oven), several paninis (with pizza bread), and a list of specials, a few of which were mains. I took from this that a decision had been made to offer a limited number of dishes, but to do them well.<br/ <br/ I had top-notch, considerably portioned gnocchi with bolognese sauce for £11.50, served whilst the tomato sauce was still bubbling from the oven, with fresh basil scattered on top.<br/ <br/ To make the experience even more superior, they should consider investing in a second credit card machine to take two payments simultaneously since this was a bit slow.<br/ <br/ I was really fond of this restaurant and highly recommend it. Now I just need to think up another reason to go back next week.."

Saporitalia Pizzeria Ristorante

➤ 222 Portobello Road Notting Hill London, W11 1LJ, United Kingdom

Pizza • Pasta • Indian • Cheese

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"Today is a very special day for me. I can officially say, I’ve had the best pizza in my life. All of the ingredients, down to the salt are imported from Italy. Chef Roberto perfected every part of the pizza. The dough was airy, perfectly crisp on a wood fire, the tomato’s were aromatic (with perfectly balanced acidity/sweeness), the basil was unlike anything I’ve tried before, and the flavors harmoniously coddled my soul. It was truly an emotional experience. He took Monica and I down a journey of his lineage to Naples, Italy. Bravisimo. If you are in London, go to Notting Hill and have the best Margarita pizza you’ll ever have"

Anacapri Pizzeria

➤ Anacapri Ristorante Pizzeria Helmshore RoadLancashire BB4 4LU, Rossendale, United Kingdom

Wine • Pizza • Pasta • Italian

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"We ate here as a family on Saturday July There were adults, one five year old and a baby. The restaurant is our local, just down the road so we know it well It has a nice family atmosphere, busy but not noisy, and friendly. The staff are attentive and cheerful but not pushy. The service is good, even when busy. The owner is very hands on and greets everyone. We chose the rioja wine which was gorgeous. The house wines are good too from past experience. The starters, pizzas and pasta are excellent and good value. Tasty and well cooked. In comparison the mains and specials can be overpriced and the portions quite small, although flavoursome. Two of our party had them and were a bit disappointed. Our pizza, the Anacapri, unusually,was a bit lack lustre, undercooked and not very tasty. Usually they are really good. However it didn’t spoil our evening and we all enjoyed it, especially the children. Nobody minds them walking about and they get special attention."

Positano

➤ 124 High Street, Guildford, United Kingdom

Pizza • Sushi • Mexican • European

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"authentic Italian cuisine at this place. I can cook this and not harm the taste of the food. it was just delicious! there is an extensive menu, and I would definitely recommend trying the specialties. the beverage menu is also extensive and set server very friendly recommended a bottle of wine that was perfectly paired to our meal. the waiting staff was attentive and offered an amazing service. Moreover, the mood and the cozy interior decor makes the entire experience even better. perfect for an intimate date night or even a meal with friends."

Amici

➤ 592-596 Harrogate Road, Leeds, United Kingdom, LS17 8DP

Pizza • Pasta • Steak • Italian

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"We were very disappointed with the food at this restaurant. Having spent 5 weeks in Italy, including Sicily, last year, our expectations were quite high. The arancini lacked flavor and were much smaller than the ones we had in Sicily. The porcini mushrooms in the pasta seemed to be frozen, as they were soggy and did not have the delicious flavor of fresh or dried ones. The pasta had an overwhelming amount of tomato sauce, making it quite boring. Even the ravioli seemed like it could have been store-bought, drowning in tomato sauce. The highlight of our meal was the goat cheese salad, which was delicious. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was great."

Zizzi Canterbury

➤ 53 St. Peter's Street, Canterbury CT1 2BE, United Kingdom

Pizza • Cafés • Mexican • European

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"I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Zizzi. It used to be one of my favorite restaurants, but it has really gone downhill. The server seemed unhappy and annoyed, making us feel like we were bothering her. We were seated at a window table, crammed in between other diners. The food arrived in just 5 minutes, which made me question how it was prepared, and didn't allow us time to settle in and enjoy our meal. To add to the disappointment, our drinks (tap water) were forgotten and arrived after the food. The salad my friend ordered was unappetizing, with hardly any lentils and sad lettuce leaves. Although we were asked if our food was okay, there was no offer for dessert, coffee, or anything else after our plates were cleared. Overall, we were let down as we have had enjoyable experiences at Zizzi in the past."

Villa Vinci

➤ 44 Loy Street, Cookstown, United Kingdom, BT80 8PE

Pizza • Asiatic • Mexican • Seafood

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"A truly lovely Restaurant. Very cosy, nice atmosphere and great service. The food is first-class, with plenty to choose from on the menu. It is very relaxed and a lovely place for an evening out. It is reasonably priced for the superb quality of the food. If you're anywhere near Cookstown in Co. Tyrone, Ireland, then you should definitely go to Villa Vinci, Where you will be guaranteed a beautiful meal. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: £20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5"

Wildwood Pizza Pasta Grill Bournemouth

➤ 6-7 Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH11BA, BH2 6HE, United Kingdom

Pizza • Grill • Italian • European

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"The manager at Wildwood on Sunday night was fantastic. Initially, we had planned on going to Zizzi, but the long line outside of Wildwood seemed like a good omen. We waited for 40 minutes to be seated, but the manager kept us informed throughout. It turned out to be a great choice. The cocktails were beautiful and the food was delicious. We even took photos to remember the experience. I would definitely recommend Wildwood for a dinner in Bournemouth."

Al Forno Pizza Kemptown

➤ 78 Saint James’s Street, Brighton, BN21PA, BN2 1PA, United Kingdom

Pizza • Vegan • Italian • Desserts

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"Last night, we visited Al Forno and had a wonderful experience. We stumbled upon the restaurant by chance and were not disappointed. The friendly young waitress seated us by the window and our pizzas arrived quickly and were delicious. The garlic bread was particularly tasty. The pizzas were generously topped with fresh ingredients and the crust was perfectly crispy on the outside and melted in the middle. The portions were so large that we had to take half of our pizzas home. Although we did not try any desserts, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and do not understand the negative reviews."

Wildwood

➤ The George Hotel, High Street, RH10 1, Crawley, United Kingdom

Pizza • Pasta • Seafood • Italian

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"I had a great dining experience at this restaurant. They offer a separate gluten-free menu with a variety of appetizers, numerous pizza and pasta options, risottos, salads, fish, steak, and a selection of desserts. The bread with Camembert was particularly delicious. The atmosphere was pleasant, although it could get a bit noisy during busy weekend nights. I will definitely be returning to dine here again."

Sikulo Italian Cafe

➤ 115 Northfield AvenueW13 9QR, London, United Kingdom

Pizza • Vegan • Italian • Vegetarian

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"The food was really delicious, and the service was friendly. It is very loud in there between but then gets quieter as families with young children tend to have left by then. One thing though the service was a little bit slow when we’d finished our mains. No one collected the plates for about mins and we didn’t get offered a dessert menu/ couldn’t get their attention for about half an hour and by that point we didn’t fancy pudding anymore!! Shame, because the desserts did look lovely. We’d deffo go there again for the food, and would just time it a bit later to avoid the kids as it does get very very loud!"

Rossella

➤ 103 Highgate road London, NW5 1TR, United Kingdom

Cafe • Pizza • Italian • Home Style

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"My favorite Italian restaurant is conveniently located right around the corner from my workplace. The food is absolutely delicious and the staff is incredibly friendly. I make sure to visit at least once a week!"

Romanelli Italian Food

➤ 9 Grace Avenue, Milton Keynes, MK62XJ, United Kingdom

Steak • Italian • Starters • Delivery Services

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"My husband reserved a table for two at this restaurant. It was actually my suggestion, as we haven't tried it out yet and it's one of the eateries in the neighborhood."

Stefano's

➤ 14 Romilly Crescent, Cardiff, CF119NR, CF11 9, United Kingdom

Pizza • European • Fast Food • Vegetarian

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"Friday 11 February was our 16th day. stefano made it special. that was our first visit and eating with my wife koeliac (gluten free) is always a challenge. great GF options and restaurant staff all attentive, well humiliated and smile! small anecdotes about the choice of food were helpful and informative. service was fast and eating fresh and hot! my partner enjoyed the mushroom bruschetta'. the hint of chili an unusal twist. my garnels were a good part. my spinach ravioli in the traditional butter sauce was exceptional and the pasta melts fresh in the mouth! my partner was pampered with a huge part of the earthy to finish while my profiteroles were delicious. a great experience and we will certainly return."

CÔte Brasserie

➤ 21-24 Bridge Street, Cambridgeshire CB2 1UF, United Kingdom

Vegan • French • European • Vegetarian

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"Côte in Cambridge is one of my top dining spots. It's not only a Coeliac UK accredited restaurant, ensuring clear labeling and knowledgeable staff, but the food is absolutely delicious! I particularly enjoy the seasonal menus and hope to see the Tartiflette back on the après menu next winter. It's a great spot for a casual lunch or a special dinner. The limited outdoor seating is perfect for sunny afternoons. I give Côte a perfect ten out of ten!"

Curry Cafe

➤ 30 Elm Row Leith Walk Edinburgh, EH7 4AH, United Kingdom

Kebab • Cafés • Pizza • Seafood

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"Unfortunately the food (chicken korma) was inedible. It tasted excessively like sugar. I felt sick after the first spoonful, even though I can actually eat anything and don't have many demands. My partner couldn't eat it either, which was a shame. But the rice was okay and so was the portion size."

Icco

➤ 21a Camden high street, London, NW17JE, W1T 4LU, United Kingdom

Pizza • Cafés • Italian • Fast Food

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"This restaurant has a reputation for being affordable, which may conjure some negative perceptions. I used to frequent the branch near Warren Street and recently visited this location for a quick meal. The prices are very reasonable, with a 12-inch thin-crust pizza costing less than £10. The dining area is small and simple, with no table service. However, the pizza rivals some of the best Italian restaurants I have visited, such as Alfresco in Whetstone, London. The fresh and tasty ingredients create an enticing aroma that will make your mouth water. While they also offer salads and other extras, the pizza is the star of the show here. Despite the low prices, the quality is not compromised. They also make a great espresso for a perfect ending to your meal."

The Fox and Grapes

➤ 9 Camp Road Wimbledon CommonSW19 4UN, London, United Kingdom

Fish • Wine • Steak • Drinks

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"It is a lovely room, with high ceilings so the noise wasn 't too bad and we were having a late lunch so not too crowded. The menu had a reasonable selection. Our starters were fine but not exceptional. The pie and the lamb chops were excellent. After a slow start when we felt a bit neglected just a smile and I 'll be with you in a moment would have made a big difference) the service was great."